Beth Gibbons

Experience

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  International Partnership for Microbicides

  Dec 2004 - Feb 2006

  Logistics Coordinator

  Personally responsible for preparation and execution of $1.5 million worth of travel and event planning annuallyDesigned and implemented a fluid administrative system to process credit card reports, expense reports and travel expensesGained proficiency of USAID regulations and developed compliant company wide policies governing business travel, events, and reporting

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  United State Peace Corps

  Jun 2006 - Jun 2008

  Project Manager

  Proposed, executed and successfully reported on four international grants in two yearsOversaw the total execution of sustainable development programs affecting over 20 rural communitiesDeveloped leadership training workshops to ensure future development of the region through the empowerment of local farmers

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  United States Peace Corps

  Jun 2006 - Jun 2008

  Assessed community needs and then organized and led workshops to address those needs, ranging from cook stove construction to timber tree reforestationParticipated actively in all aspects of daily life in a village of 400 subsistence farmers, learning the local language, culture, challenges and joys of Gapé, Togo Interfaced with Population Services International/Global Fund, United States Embassy Togo, and Peace Corps Togo to secure full funding for a 3,000 participant, country wide HIV/AIDS education initiative Provided administrative support to regional Peace Corps Volunteer coordinators through the preparation of presentation materials, distribution of funding, and personal visits to local officials in each prefecture capital;

  • Natural Resource Management Extension Agent

    Jun 2006 - Jun 2008

  • Field Agent

    Jun 2006 - Jun 2008
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  General Federation of Women's Clubs

  Aug 2008 - Aug 2010

  Associate Director

  Coordinated the national professional staff to facilitate project execution and collaboration between governance and management leadersSupported the executive director in the organizational management and overall strategic leadership of GFWC staffResponsible for the central coordination of projects (operations and planning) and ensured the timely flow of information to and from the Executive Office and between departmentsAuthored the membership database user manual for distribution to over 200 members and led training sessions on database functions to state leaders and GFWC staff. Show less

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  International Forestry Resources and Institutions

  Aug 2010 - Apr 2012

  Research Assistant

  Organized two international conferences on climate change and multi-disciplinary approaches to the ecological and social challenges of globalization. Assisted the Dean of Research of the School of Natural Resources and the Environment with research on international forestry management, local governance and food security issues

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  The Graham Institute

  Jun 2012 - Feb 2014

  Great Lakes Adaptation Assessment for Cities (GLAA-C) Project Manager

  Developed the strategy and implementation approach for a $1.2 million grant aimed at implementing climate adaptation strategies and programs in cities throughout the Great Lakes Region in the United States and CanadaLed the first multi-disciplinary, applied science, research project focused on climate change adaptation in the Great Lakes region. This project laid the foundation for climate adaptation work in 12 cities in the United States and Canada was for the genesis of multiple regional climate adaptation networks and initiatives. o Established a data integration framework based on applying historical and future climate information into decision making for cities across the U.S. and Canada.o Developed successful methods for overcoming uncertainty in the climate data through the application of scenario planning process and threshold analysis.o Became a regional expert on climate impacts, adaptation strategies; and local, regional and national resources which municipalities, community-based organizations, and Tribes utilized to implement climate adaptation solutions. Show less

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  Graham Sustainability Institute

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2016

  Climate Center Director

  The University of Michigan Climate Center at the Graham Sustainability Institute was dedicated to supporting the long-term sustainability of the Great Lakes region in the face of climate change and facilitating smart decision-making, backed by scientific knowledge. Through the Center I led cross-college collaborations, including peer learning sessions for faculty, multi-disciplinary graduate and undergraduate student projects, and strengthen university/community sustainability efforts.

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  University of Michigan

  Feb 2014 - Jan 2016

  Program Manager

  As program manager for the Great Lakes Integrated Science and Assessment Center (GLISA), I coordinated with domestic and international organizations to form a network of knowledge and best practices for neighborhoods, cities, counties and states/provinces addressing sustainability and climate change work. During my tenure GLISA distributed over $300,000 in grant dollars and associated faculty and researchers published over 20 peer reviewed publications. Additionally, I personally co-authored the Great Lakes Region Synthesis Report of the 3rd National Climate Assessment, extending the usability of the National Climate Assessment to audiences throughout the Great Lakes Region, by synthesizing relevant regional and sector information into content tailored to regional stakeholder needs; oversaw the translation of digital climate data into useable and useful resources for decision makers and practitioners across the Great Lakes region; and successfully led the RISA team through its five-year competition process, resulting in a 5-year award of $2.1 Million from NOAA. Show less

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  Institute for Sustainable Communities

  Jun 2016 - Dec 2017

  Senior Program Officer
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  American Society of Adaptation Professionals

  Jun 2016 - Nov 2022

  ASAP supports and connects professionals to better prepare for climate change. ASAP helps members strengthen their professional network, exchange best practices and practical advice, and accelerate innovation-all leading to a more equitable and effective climate adaptation practice.As the Executive Director, I lead and grow the premier professional society dedicated to climate change adaptation in the United States, I provide expert advice on how to adapt to climate change and needs of the climate adaptation field of practice to all levels of government including through Testimony to The US Congress and serving as a co-author of the 5th National Climate Assessment, Midwest Chapter, I formed and continue to serve on ASAP’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and Accountability Sub-committee to ensure that the organization is building a culture of inclusion and accessibility internally and convening its members and organizations across the climate change field around a justice centered agenda.Through all of this I have the opportunity to coordinate connections across sectors, regions, and scales of government, foster alignment across organizations, oversee standards for the emerging field, and work diligently to address one of the greatest challenges facing our communities, natural resources, and ways of life. Show less While working as a Senior Program Officer at the Institute for Sustainable Communities, I strengthened and grew ASAP as an organization – including enhancing recruitment and expanding the ASAP network by bringing new members to the organization; strengthening network connections within the organization; and developing strategic partnerships and initiatives that build value for the organization and the membership; My work accelerated the professionalization of the field of adaptation by characterizing and mapping the state of field and delivering strategic resources to move the field from innovation to replication and toward standardization and mainstreaming; I established and executed a business plan informed by strategic visioning and planning with the full engagement of the ASAP board of directors. The successful execution of this plan led to a growing membership base and establishment of organizational processes and practices including marketing and communications, strengthening, and expanding strategic partnerships, and fundraising in launch a new and sustainable organization. Show less

  • Executive Director

    Jan 2017 - Nov 2022

  • Managing Director

    Jun 2016 - Nov 2022
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  Farallon Strategies

  Nov 2022 - now

  Social Governance & National Resilience Lead

  Building a national portfolio of climate resilience projects that increase the well-being of community members and transfer resources (fundings, knowledge, capacity) to people most impacted by climate change.

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  University of Michigan

  Sept 2023 - now

  Practioner in Residence
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  Washtenaw County

  Jul 2024 - now

  Director Resiliency Office